New York prosecutors reopen investigation into alleged rape at Cornell University

Amna Nawaz:

An investigation into an alleged gang rape in 2024 at Cornell University has been reopened after the woman who reported the assault sued the school and others.

Identified only as Jane Doe in the case, the woman said officials didn't do enough in light of the allegations that during a party at the Chi Phi fraternity, she was given alcohol and pressure to snort ketamine before multiple men assaulted her and invited others to join in.

At the time, no criminal charges were filed, though Cornell said it invested and took disciplinary action, including suspensions and expulsions. The Chi Phi fraternity was closed that year and banned from campus. The Tompkins County district attorney said on CNN today that the details in Jane Doe's original statement did not support criminal charges.

Matthew Van Houten, Tompkins County, New York, District Attorney:

The young men who engaged in that conduct were morally wrong. It was disgusting. And so she reported that to the police, and the police investigated it. That does not mean, if it's morally wrong or disgusting or offensive, all those things, it does not mean that the penal law was violated.

Amna Nawaz:

Brian Mann is based in New York. He's been covering the story for NPR, and he joins us now.

Brian, welcome back to the "News Hour." Thanks for joining us.

Brian Mann, National Public Radio:

Thanks for having me.

Amna Nawaz:

Let's start with the timing here. As you mentioned, the incident was reported to university police almost two years ago. That was a few weeks after the alleged rape took place. Do we know what led to this civil complaint now being filed earlier this month and the investigation being reopened?

Brian Mann:

Yes, so this woman who describes herself in the lawsuit as Jane Doe has really laid out a case that something truly horrific happened that night in October 2024.

And she also claims that Cornell University failed to respond appropriately, failed to investigate what happened appropriately. She says these seven men, students at the time, abused her over a period of hours, often in truly brutal ways. Now she's seeking compensation for that.

This is a sweeping lawsuit. As you just heard, there were never any criminal charges filed. And it's also still unclear at this point what exact disciplinary actions these seven students faced.

Amna Nawaz:

Prosecutors are now saying they're going to present their case to a grand jury. Do we know how quickly that's going to move forward?

Brian Mann:

We don't know the timing, and, honestly, we don't know what the outcome will be.

I have been speaking with people on campus, but I have also been speaking with the defense attorney for at least one of these men, who says he does not actually believe that criminal charges will follow. One of the things that's raising concern here and, in fact, a lot of criticism here is that this alleged gang rape was only investigated by Cornell campus police.

It was never brought to the attention to -- of Ithaca police or of State Police investigators. The mayor of Ithaca, the city has called that handling irresponsible. He says this was a miscarriage of justice. We have also had New York Governor Kathy Hochul come out today saying she has deep concerns about how this was all handled. She's calling for an independent probe of Cornell University's actions here.

Amna Nawaz:

And, as we noted there, Brian, the university said they did take disciplinary actions back when the incident was first reported. But what is happening now on the university? How are they responding to this latest step?

Brian Mann:

Well, clearly, Cornell University feels under siege right now. This blew up into a global online phenomenon spread by major media celebrities and politicians on Instagram and other platforms when the civil lawsuit was filed.

I have tried repeatedly to interview members of Cornell University's leadership. They have declined. They have sent very brief statements saying that they do think significant disciplinary action happened. They say there were not just slaps on the wrist here. But it is possible, according to our reporting, that some of these seven men were allowed to remain on campus as students.

The woman involved, Jane Doe, in the civil lawsuit did leave campus. But it appears that at least some of these men were allowed to continue pursuing their studies here after this alleged rape occurred.

Amna Nawaz:

Brian, as you know, The Cornell Daily Sun named all seven young men who are civil defendants in this lawsuit. Some of those young men have even reportedly lost their jobs this week. How is all of this resonating on campus?

Brian Mann:

Yes, there's a lot of anger and frustration. And there is a strong opinion on campus that these seven men should have faced more investigation and possibly more punishment.

While I was on campus today, I also heard from a lot of students real compassion and sorrow for the young woman, Jane Doe, who's named in this civil lawsuit. Women in particular who I talked to say they believe she went through a real ordeal in this investigation, the way that the case was handled by Cornell, by campus police.

And the fact that she wound up leaving the school, while at least some of these young men were apparently allowed to continue their studies, I heard anger and sadness over what's happened to her.

Amna Nawaz:

That is Brian Mann of NPR joining us tonight.

Brian, thank you so much.

Brian Mann:

Thanks for having me.